Publications

Books

Combining Targeted Biological Agents with Radiotherapy: Current Status and Future Directions, edited by William Small, Jr, MD, 2008 Demos Medical Publishing, New York.

This important book reviews the basic science and current clinical status of combining targeted biological
agents with radiotherapy. The eleven chapters have been written by many of the premier investigators in oncology who also have specialized knowledge of biologically targeted agents.

Recently, agents have been developed that may be directed at specific molecular targets of malignant
transformation. These agents are often antibodies to specific tumor-associated antigens or small-molecule inhibitors
of the tyrosine kinase pathway. Excitement in the field
stems from the idea that combining these agents with
cytotoxic therapies will improve tumor control without much
increase in treatment-related toxicity.

Divided into two parts, the first group of chapters,
one through five, contains strong background about this
type of treatment, such as facts about the two most important
current targeted agents: epidermal growth factor
receptors and vascular epithelial growth factor receptors.
Dermatologic manifestations of targeted therapies is
presented, as is information about radioimmunotherapy
and its success in treating hematologic malignancies.
 
Chapters six through eleven focus on targeted
therapies for use in specific disease sites, such as malignant
gliomas, head and neck, lung, pancreatic, cervical, and
endometrial cancers.

For those who strive to stay current in this rapidly
evolving treatment area, this book is a must-read.

Radiation Toxicity: A Practical Guide, edited by William Small, Jr, MD, and Gayle E. Woloschak, PhD, Cancer Treatment and Research Series, Steven T. Rosen, MD, Series Editor, 2006 Springer Science + Media Business, Inc., New York.

Radiotherapy offers significant benefits for cancer
patients and is used on many tumor types for cure and for
palliative affects. However, the dose of radiation may be
limited by the toxic therapy effects. Conformal radiotherapy
and intensity-modulated radiation therapy have markedly
improved the ability to target tumors and avoid normal
tissue.

Soon, diagnostic imaging and treatment delivery that
occur simultaneously will permit much more refined targeting
as well. We know that some patients have different levels of
radiation toxicity than others. When markers are discovered
that allow specific knowledge of a particular patient's
susceptibilities, a treatment plan could then be developed
based on that person's expected radiation responses.

Acute and long-term radiation toxicity both exist and often show
a dose-threshold response. As advances in treatment
modalities occur, patient quality-of-life issues are under
close consideration. Sometimes the consequences of toxicity
adversely affect body functions, such as in the case of head
and neck cancer patients who after treatment may have
difficulty eating and swallowing. While long-term toxicities
cannot be reversed, approaches can be taken to improve
patients' life quality. This book provides a basic scienc and clinical perspective on all apects of radiation toxicity. Of particular importance is the practical advice given about managing radiation toxicity.
 
Radiation Toxicity: A Practical Guide's audience is primarily radiation
oncologists, medical oncologists, class, oncology nurses, and
radiation therapists. This book is a necessary addition for any oncology practitioner's library.

Selected Other Publications

The department's 2008 annual report gave the following statistics for faculty publications: 27 peer-reviewed, 8 non-peer reviewed, 63 abstracts, 1 book chapter written, 1 book edited.

Dr. Mittal

Evans AM, Altman JK, Mittal BB, et al. Phase I/II Trial of Total Lymphoid Irradiation and High-Dose Chemotherapy with Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation for Relapsed and Refractory Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Annals of Oncology 2007;18:679-688.

Logemann JA, Pauloski BR, Rademaker AW, et al. Swallowing Disorders in the First Year After Radiation and Chemoradiation. Head & Neck 2008; 30.148-158.

Salama JK, Stenson KM, Kistner EO, et al. Induction Chemotherapy and Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Multi-institutional Phase II Trial Investigating Three Radiotherapy Dose Levels. Annal of Oncology 2008;19:1787-1794.

Dr. Kalapurakal

Kalapurakal JA, Silverman CL, Akhtar N, et al. Intracranial Meningiomas: Factors that Influence the Development of Cerebral Edema after Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiation Therapy. Radiology 1997;204,2;461-5.

Jacob ANK, Kalapurakal JA, Davidson WR, et al. A Receptor Tyrosine Kinase, UFO/Axl and Other Genes Isolated by a Modified Differential Display PCR Are Overexpressed in Metastatic Prostatic Carcinoma Cell Line DU 145. Cancer Detection and Prevention 1999; 23,4:325-332.

Kalapurakal JA, Silverman CL, Andrews D, et al. Improved Trigeminal and Facial Nerve Tolerance in Patients with Large Acoustic Neuromas Treated with Fractionated Stereotactic Radiosurgery. British J Radiology 1999; 72:1202-07.

Dr. Small

Small W. Jr, Berlin J, Freedman GM, et al. Full-Dose Gemcitabine with Concurrent Radiation Therapy in Patients with Nonmetastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A Multicenter Phase II Trial. J Clin Oncol 2008;26:942-947.

Small W. Jr, Mell LK, Anderson P, et al. Consensus Guidelines for Delineation of Clinical Target Volume for Intensity-Modulated Pelvic Radiotherapy in Postoperative Treatment of Endometrial and Cervical Cancer. Int J Radiation Oncology Biol Phys 2008; 71,2:428-434.

Small W, Mulcahy M, Rademaker A, et al. A Phase II Trial of Weekly Gemcitabine and Bevacizumab in Combination with Abdominal Radiation Therapy in Patients with Localized Pancreatic Cancer. I J Radiation Oncology 2008; 72, 1 supplemt.

Patents

Northwestern has applied for a provisional patent based on one of Dr. Woloschak's invention reports. Two additonal invention reports were submitted, per the 2008 department annual report.